Inlet for siphons



y 1944- L. H. SMITH ET AL INLET FOR SYPHONS F iled Dec. 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. LEW/5 h. jM/zw Z. ARK/IV i? M1 1 m/vswv MWW ' ATTORNEYS y 15, 1944- H. sMrrH ET AL 2,349,010

- INLET FOR SYPHONS Filed Dec. 17. 1940 2 Sheets-sheaf 2 INVENTOR. LEW/5 H. SM/TH LARK/IV R Mum/v30 ATTORNEYS.

Patented May '16, 1944 INLET FOR SIPHONS Lewis H. Smith, Cleveland, Ohio, and Larkin It.

Pinney, Shaker Heights, Ohio Williamson, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors Application December 17, 1940, Serial No. 370,518

2 Claims.

This invention relates, generally, to inlet means and has reference more particularly to inlet means adapted for use in conjunction with railroad steam locomotive siphonic elements. Such elements are disposed in the firebox of locomotives and establish communication between a low point and a high point of the boiler so that by thermic action, water tends to rise within the siphon and thus set up a fluid flow over and above that which would exist inthe absence of a siphonic element. It has long been postulated and recently accepted that such increased circulation makes for greater overall efficiency.

During the early stages of steam locomotion, siphonic elements took the form of one or more tubes or pipes which in more recent years have been rendered obsolete by the provision of fiat hollow general triangular siphons or water steaming and circulating elements, one of the bases of which opens through the crown and the apex opposite such base being provided with an inlet usually in the nature of a restriction or neck. It has been customary to rigidly secure, as by welding or stay-bolting; the neck to either the firebox flue sheet or to the throat sheet so that the siphon acts as a cross or reinforcing member which is subject to considerable strains and stresses due to expansion and contraction caused by steam pressure, by heating and cooling and also by road vibrations. The neck, being the weakest portion of the siphon, frequently became fractured or injured and necessitated costly repairs not only requiring replacement of the siphon but also requiring that the locomotive remain in the repair shop.

Heretofore there has been provided between the siphon neck and the boiler, a connection which absorbed some of the relative movement between such neck and boiler, such connection containing among other things packing. means which were not found to be entirely satisfactory. Accordingly one of the objects of this invention has been to provide packing means of the character described which are more satisfactory than those heretofore known.

Another object of the invention has been to provide an inlet connection of the type above identified which is economical to manufacture and to install, and simple in construction.

A still further object of the invention has been to provide in a connection or inlet of the type described resilient means for urging the packing into sealing engagement with the packed elements.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed structure constituting, however, but one of various forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partially fragmentary and partially longitudinal sectional view of a locomotive boiler having incorporated therein the principal features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a section indicated taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;. and

Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2 but has incorporated therein the principal features of a modification of this invention.

With reference now more particularly to Fig. 1 the locomotive fragmentarily shown therein will be seen to comprise a barrel 5 provided with an outer throat sheet 6 and having incorporated therein a firebox indicated generally by the reference character 8, the latter having a wall or crown sheet [0 disposed below the water level W. L. and also having a flue sheet H and inner throat sheet l2. For purposes of illustration we have shown a water steaming and circulating element or siphon of the type provided with a flat hollow generally triangular body l4, one of the bases [5 of which opens through the crown sheet and one of the apexes' of which, the latter being opposite the base H3, is provided with an intake neck l6. According to this invention inlet means indicated generally by the reference character I8 of Fig. 1 provide an inlet for this neck and are disposed substantially interi'orly of the throat, i. e. between the throat sheets, and is provided with exteriorly disposed adjusting means indicated generally by the reference character I9 of Fig. 1.

With reference now more particularly to Fig. 2 wherein the inlet means and the adjusting means are shown in greater detail it will be seen that the neck l6 terminates between the throat sheets and projects through and is spaced from an opening 25 of the inner throat sheet, the diameter of such opening being greater than the diameter of the neck so that one is free to move relatively to the other. The outer throat sheet is provided with an opening 26 which is somewhat larger than and substantially concentric to the opening 25. Disposed between the throat sheets in alignment with these openings is a sleeve 29, the inner diameter of which is considerably larger than the diameter of the opening 25 whereby a shoulder is provided. This sleeve may be inserted through one of the sheets and suitably secured to the inner side of the inner throat sheet as by welding 21. The neck projects into the sleeve. Resting against the inner side of the inner throat sheet, i. e., against this shoulder, is a washer 3|, the inner periphery of which snugly engages the outer periphery of the neck and the outer periphery of which is spaced from the inner periphery of the sleeve 29 as at 32. This washer is preferably made of Monel metal and serves the purpose of shielding the interior of the sleeve from the flames and intense heat of the fire. Interposed between the neck and the sleeve and resting against the washer is packing 35 which is compressed and urged against the sleeve, the neck, and the washer by means of the lip 36 of an inner sleeve or cup-like element, the cylindrical body portion 31 of which snugly slides. within the sleeve.

It will be seen that if the lip 36 were to snugly fit between the outer sleeve and the neck, then non-axial forces acting on the neck would result in binding between the neck and the inlet means. For permitting relative movement and preventing such binding, the neck projects into the cup-like element and is preferably spaced therefrom as at 39 an amount substantially equal to the difference between the diameters of the opening 25 and the neck. The same could be accomplished by providing a space between the sleeves instead of between the inner sleeve and the neck. l

The body portion 31 of one of the cup-like elements is provided with a'plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending intake openings or slots 4| whereby fluid may flow through such openings into the interiorof the sleeves and then into the neck. For interconnecting the inlet means and the adjusting means, the outer surface of the bottom or flange 42 of the cup-like element is provided with a centrally disposed socket in the form of opening 43, the purpose of which will presently appear.

Secured to the exterior of the outer throat sheet 6 as by welding 45 and provided with an opening 46 adapted for registration with and of substantially the same diameter as the opening 26, is a filler block 48 which strengthens the throat sheet and which may, if desired, be sufiiciently large that it embraces stay bolts. Secured to the filler plate and the outer throat sheet by suitable means, such as a plurality of bolts 50, is a coverplate suitable means such as a copper gasket 52 being provided for preventing leakage between the filler plate and the cap. This plate is provided with an interiorly projecting boss 55 extending into the openings 26 and 46, with an exteriorly threaded and exteriorly projecting boss 56 and also with an opening 51 extending through both of the bosses. The openings 25, 26, 46, the bosses and the opening extending therethrough are substantially coaxial. The central portion of the opening 5! is provided with an interiorly projecting shoulder 59 and that portion of this opening which extends through the boss 55 is threaded for reception of exterior threads of a stem 6|, the inner portion of the latter being provided with a projection or nipple 62 of reduced diameter adapted for reception by the opening 43 so that the bottom of the cuplike element rests against the base of the nipple..

It is to be noted that the threads of the opening 61 do not extend to the shoulder 59 and present a space or recess 64 which communicates with the throat by means of one or more passageways 65.

The body of the stem is journaled within the shoulder portion 59 and, for preventing leakage therebetween, packing 61 is provided. The latter is compressed by means of a washer which is urged and maintained inwardly by means of a cap nut 69, the interior threads of the flange of which engage the threads of the boss 56. The

stem projects through the cap and the washer 68. The exterior end of the stem is provided with suitable means such as a square head 12 by means of which the same may be readily actuated.

Thus, by screwing the stem 6| inwardly, the lip 36 of the cup-like element compresses the packing 35 so as to form a seal between the neck l6 and the sleeve 29. As the stem is actuated inwardly or outwardly the fluid within the recess 64 becomes rarifled or compressed and is relieved by the passageway 65. It will be seen that the nipple 62 assists in locating the elements for assembling and thereafter maintains the elements in assembled relationship. It will be further seen that upon removal of the bolts 59 the cover plate, cap and cup-like elements may be removed through the openings 26 and 46 whereby the packing 35 may be readily replaced.

In the modified form of construction, seen in Fig. 3, there is a sleeve 15 projecting through an opening in and suitably secured as by welding to the outer throat 6. A flange 16 at the left end of the sleeve is suitably secured as by welding to the inner throat sheet I2 so that the interior of the sleeve is adapted to receive the neck I6. It will be noted that the sleeves project exteriorly and interiorly of the throat and that the interiorly projecting portion thereof is provided with a plurality of slots 18 which are similar to and serve a, purpose similar to that served by the slot 4| of Fig. 2. The left end of the sleeve is provided with an opening 19, washer 80, and packing 8| which are related to each other and function in a manner similar to that of the opening 25, the washer 3| and the packing 35 respectively of the preferred embodiment. The left portion 83 of the interior of the sleeve is somewhat smaller in diameter than is the right portion thereof and snugly accommodates the left or open end 85 of an inner sleeve or cup-like element 86, the other or closed end 81 of which is provided with a, centrally disposed annular boss 88 having an opening 89 therethrough. The body portion of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of slots 9! which are arranged and function similar to the slots 18.

For resiliently urging the lip of the sleeve 86 to the left (Fig. 3) and consequently compressing the packing 8|, a spring 92 rests against the boss 88 and also against a similar boss 93 of a plunger 94 provided with a projection or finger 95 which slidingly projects into the opening 89. Thus it will be seen that as the plunger is moved to the right or to the left, the packing will be compressed or released as desired. The right end of the plunger is provided with a centrally disposed socket for reception of a nipple 91 provided on the left end of a stem, the body portion of which is provided with threads 96 and the outer or right end of which is provided with a head 99 similar to the head 12 of Fig. 2. Interposed between the nipple 91 and the bottom of the opening of the plunger is a wear button I00.

Secured by suitable means such as bolts to a flange IOI of the right end of the sleeve I is a cover plate I02 and a gasket I03, the latter being similar to the gasket 52 of Fig. 2. This cover plate is provided with an interiorly threaded centrally disposed opening of two diameters, the smaller of which threadingly engages threads 98 of the stem so that the head 99 projects exteriorly beyond the shoulder provided by such two diameters. The threads of the other diameter of this opening engage exterior threads of a cap I05, which is preferably provided with a hollow interior I06 for accommodating the head 99, a gasket I01 being interposed between the cover plate and the cap. Surrounding the head of the stem and interposed between the cover plate and the cap is a spring I09 which serves the purpose of locking the cap to the cover plate.

It is to be noted that the neck projects within the sleeve 86 and that the inner diameter of the latter is larger than the outer diameter of the former.

Thus it will be seen that in both forms of our invention the neck is permitted restricted movement in all directions relatively to the throat and that resilient exteriorly adjustable means is provided for loading or compressing the packing. It will be readily observed that fluid within the throat flows through the openings I8 and 9| into the sleeve 85 and then into the neck. It will also be seen that by removal of the bolts, the cover plate, sleeve 85 and elements interposed therebetween may be removed and the packing replaced. For adjusting the force exerted by the spring 92, the cap I05 may be removed and the stem manipulated.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. A locomotive boiler having incorporated therein a firebox provided with an inner throat sheet and an outer throat sheet, in combination with a siphon disposed in said firebox, said inner throat sheet being provided with an openin a sleeve. of larger inner diameter than the diameter of said opening secured to the inner side of said inner throat sheet and surrounding said opening whereby a shoulder is provided, said siphon having a portion movably projecting through said opening and into said sleeve, a washer snugly surrounding said portion, resting against said shoulder and spaced from said sleeve, and packing means interposed between said portion and said sleeve and resting against said washer whereby fluid between said throat sheets may enter said portion without seeping through said opening.

2. A locomotive boiler having incorporated therein a firebox provided with an inner throat sheet and an outer throat sheet, said sheets each having an opening, said openings being substantially coaxial, in combination with a siphon disposed in said firebox and having a portion smaller than the opening of the inner throat sheet and projecting therethrough and opening between said throat sheets, packing means disposed between said throat sheets and comprising a pair of interfitting elements whereby leakage of fluid through the opening of the inner throat sheet is prevented, a cover plate for said opening of the outer throat sheet, said cover plate being provided with an opening therethrough communicating with the space between said throat sheets and provided with a shoulder, that portion of said opening of the cover plate which is disposed inwardly of said shoulder being provided with threads spaced from said shoulder, a passageway communicating with said opening in the cover plate and also communicating with the space between said throat sheets, a stem projecting interiorly and exteriorly of said opening of the cover plate and having threads for engaging said threads, said stem being adapted for engaging one of said elements whereby said means may be exteriorly adjusted, and packing means in that portion of said opening of the cover plate which is disposed outwardly of said shoulder.

LEWIS H. SMITH.

LARKIN R. WILLIAMSON. 

